Golf exerciser



Feb. 18, 1941. B, JOHNSON 2,232,569

GOLF EXERGISER mili:l

INVENTUM ATTORNEY Feb. 1s, 1941.

B. JOI-[NSO N GOLF 'EXERG I S ER Filed-Aug. 2.- 1940 2 sheets-sheet 2 Lf Q.

' ATTORNEY fio Patented Feb. 18, 1941 "UNIT E PATEN T FF E com" sxnaclsnn i Bernay-s Johnson, Little Falls, N. J. Application August 2, 1949,-Serial No. 349,480

I7 Claims.

The presen-t `invention `is concerned with a golf practicing device alndfspecincalily is directed toa gol-f chipping and putting game and the `objects, advantages, and salient functional and structural features thereof will be apparent from the folio-wing `detailed. specification considered in the light of the accompanying 'drawings wher-ein: Fig. 1 isa perspective View of the golf game or e'Xerciser according to-the invention.

Figfz is a transverse sectional View on the line 2-2 of Fig. l. i

Fig. 3 is a .plan View of a golf practicing device or exerciser, shown partly in section. y

Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the line 'li-li of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a broken and sectional view of one of fthe standards and th-e rotary support for one of the wings of the back stop.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical elevational view on the line 6-16 of Fig. 3 showing the outer ring of the vibratory golf ball deflector unit seated on the upper face of the hopper.

Fig. 7 is an inside View of the golf deilect'or unit `taken yon ithe line 'I--l of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is an inside View on .the line 8 8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View onthe line 9--9 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 10 is a View taken on the line Ill-i0 of Fig. 3, illustrating one of the webs of the Vibratory spider secured to the concentric rings or ball clefiector unit. i

The golf game according to the invention is generally denoted Ill and embodies a golf deflecting unit in tire form of a plurality of concentricallly arranged relatively thin sheet metal rings IVI, I2 and I3 having their lower ends xedly secured to radially arranged .and spaced webs or arms Id characterizing a spider.

Each of the concentric rings is provided with spaced strengthening ribs and I6 and the turned over flanges I 'I and. I8 for reinforcing the upper and bolttoin annular edges thereof and for purposes of specification webs I4 together with` i the spaced annular members ,or rings II, I2 and i3 may be considered as a golf delecting unit or chassis having a four point support in respect i to the inclined sheet metal hopper I9 and thus thef spider is completely spaced from any part of the hopper although suspended therein in spaced relation .to the rim thereof. In this connection it will be observed that the rim of the hopper I9 is substantially square shaped having its four upstanding sides provided with the turned in flanges. 2fI. nterruptedby gaps I22, thus leaving the outer ring M are seated and for permanently holding the Mouter 'ring II to the rim 2i) of the hopper, metal strips are employed, the-se strips being welded or soldered to :the sides of the rim .2li of the hopper and to the lower spaced pc-rtions 324 of the large outer ring II. However 'at the front part of `the outer ring II two metal strips u25 o-th-e character referred to are ultilized and 'thesestraddlle the opening/2t.

`Approipriately fixed -to diametrically disposed portions of theouterring rIsI are the spaced bailies or wings 21 and these have their forward portions '-28 fastened by bolt and nuit means 29 to the upstanding` sides llof Jthe inclined and `hollow chute 31| having thei-ncli-ned baille wall 32 integral with sidesbut extending appreciably below the upper ed-ges thereof. Sidesiof the chute -3lv constitutesp-acer means for the angle irons or ball guide rails 32 having their rear ends fastened to vthe sides 3! and at one side of one of the rails a golf ball supply `receptacle-33 provided. `This receptacle has an opening 33W in which return conduit 35 is: iitlted.

The -conduitis disposed at an incline and has connected *thereto the hollow elbow 36 carried by the `supply conduit 31 directly `communieating withthe eccentricaily disposed opening 38 in the pyramidal or dish shaped base 39 of the `hopper andyior purposes of clearness' base 39 'may be said to comprisethe `four tapering and inclined sides 4i), M, 4 2 and 413.'

The hopper `le is` heid in an inclined relation by the spaced legs llll and 4t' xedly sustained by the rim` 2B] 'of the hopper. The rear end of the hopperis also provided with the fixed and spaced loops it Ithrough which is threaded ith-e cross bar orhorizontal rodll'l detachably secured to the spaced bushings i8 threadably carried by the spaced vertical standards or supports 4d, having their lower ends disposed in couplings 5i).

Rotatably jpurnalled in the spaced nipples or bushings 48 are the :lower portions 5I -of the L shaped standards 52-each of which xedly carry a sitop ring 53 to limit the insertion of the lower portions-5I into thenipples 48.

. The arms 54 of the rotatable L shapedl standards` 52 threadfably receive the -loop or socket 55 of the wings .56 of the clothback stop 5l which has la lower intermediate part Eil removably draped over the rear an'ges. 2i of :the hopper, thus causing any balls striking `the intermediate part ofy the back stop ftoall into the hopper and t' eventually return through the conduit means by gravity to the supply receptacle 33.

Since the upper standards 52 are rotatable the wings of the back stop may be desirably adjusted Ito any convenient angle relative to the hopper. Also since the back drop Support consists of adjustable and detachable parts, it may be readily knocked down or disassembled and thereafter reassembled quickly when desired.

Moreover, the wings 56 of the back stop include the superimposed pockets 59 and 60, either of which can readily trap the golf balls, the upper pocket 59 (Fig. 4) having an opening at the lower part thereof leading into the companion lower pocket 60, thus balls trapped by pockets 59 fall directly into the lower pockets.

In operation a golf Iball 6I is taken out of the receptacle and put on the ground and placed between the rails 32 after which a suitable golf stick is employed for lifting or chipping the ball preferably into the smallest ring I3 for scoring purposes considered as counting three points. If such be accomplished a bell 6I usually issues an audible signal for the bell is generally struck when the ball in flight comes within the connes of the ring I3.

Where the ball enters the gap between rings I 3 and I2, two points may be considered as scored by the operator. If within the gap between the outer ring II and the intermediate ring I2, one point may be counted. In case the ball strikes one of the wings of the back stop an-d falls into any of the pockets 6I), one half of a point may be counted.

The bell 6I is carried by an offset arm 62 secured to the inner ring I3 and by means of the inclined relation of all of the concentric rings, the balls when striking the latter deflect downward and fall into the hopper and ultimately automatically return the supply receptacle 33.

The sheet metal nested and concentrically arranged rings II, I2 and I3 together with the arms I4, in fact may be considered as sustained merely by a four point support namely, the four rectilinear bearing surfaces 23, on the four rectilinear sides of the hopper and consequently, in practice, it has been discovered that when a ball strikes any of these rings, it is to become deadened, that is it will not bounce outwardly of the rings, and instead it is deflected inwardly and falls downwardly into the hopper. 'I'his is due to the fact that when the ball hits any of the concentric rings, the chassis oscillates slightly, or for the lack of a better expression, trembles or shivers, causing the ball to be deadened, thus falling as desired into the hopper. 'Ihis deadening effect on the ball is also carried into effect by the inclined Wall 32' of the chute 3I since the latter is hollow as shown, hence preventing undesirable bouncing of the ball when striking wall 32' having its highest portion arranged or sustained against the front and lower side of the hopper as shown.

In the matter of the wings 21, these aid to prevent spillage of the ball in a direction away from the hopper and thus cause the ball to fall into the hopper. As far as the flanges 2| are concerned, these perform the important duty of preventing the ball from spilling out of the hopper after having been cast therein by Wings 21 or by the vibratory chassis. The front opening 26 is utilized in the case of putting without creating any lift to the ball. Where the ball enters scribed in detail, it is to be understood that it is not limited to speoic details described but it is capable of other adaptations and modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, an inclined hollow hopper having a relatively large opening at the upper end thereof, a vibratory spider suspended at said opening and completely spaced from any part of sai-d hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings secured to said spider, rectilinear bearing means for sustaining one of said rings only, inclined chute means disposed against said hopper, and wings connected to said last mentioned ring and said chute means.

2. In combination, an inclined hopper, a vibratory spider within and completely spaced from any part of said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings secured to said spider, bearing means on said hopper for sustaining spa-ced portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, and chute means connected to said hopper.

l3. In combination, an inclined hopper, a vibratory spider within and completely spaced from any part of said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings secure-d to said spider, bearing means on said hopper for sustaining spaced portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, inclined chute means connected to said hopper, and spaced guide means connected to said chute means.

4. In combination, an inclined hopper having a rim, a vibratory spider within said hopper and completely spaced from any part of said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings secured to said spider, spaced bearing means on the sides of said rim for sustaining spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, chute means connected to said hopper, anges extending from said rim and inwardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, and conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle.

5. In combination, an inclined hopper having a rectangularly shaped rim, a vibratory spider within said hopper and having a plurality of dvergent arms completely spaced from any part of said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced relatively thin rings secured to said arms, rectilinear and spaced bearing means on the sides of said rim for sustaining. spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, chute means connected to said hopper, flanges extending from said rim and inwardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, and conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle.

6. In combination, an inclined hopper having a peripheral rim, a vibratory ball deilecting unit comprising a spider completely spaced from any part of said hopper and a plurality of nested but spaced rings secured to said spider, rectilinear and spaced bearing means on the sides of said rim for sustaining spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, chute means connected to said hopper, anges extending from said rim and inwardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, and conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle.

'7. Incombination, an inclined hopper having an upstanding rim, a vibratory ball deflecting unit comprising a spider substantially within said rim and completely spaced from any part of said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings se cured to said spider, spaced 'bearing means on the sides ofsaid rim for sustaining spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality,

inclined chute means connected to said hopper, flanges extending from said rim and inwardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, and conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle.

8. In combination, an inclined hopper having a rim, a spider within but spaced from said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings secured to said spider, spaced bearing means on the sides of said rim for sustaining spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, chute means connected to said hopper, fianges extending from said rim and inwardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle, and a backstop disposed at the rear of said hopper and having swingable wings adapted to be disposed angularly in respect to the sides of said hopper.

9. In combination, an inclined hopper having a rim, a spider within but spaced from said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings se. cured to said spider, spaced bearing means on the sides ofl said rim for sustaining spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, inclined chute means connected to said hopper, iianges extending from said rim and inwardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle, and a backstop disposedv at the rear of said hopper and having swingable wings adapted to be disposed angularly in respect to the sides of said hopper.

10. In combination, an inclined hopper having a rim, a spider within but spaced from said hopper, a plurality of nested b-ut spaced rings secured to said spider, spaced bearing means on the sides of said rim for sustaining spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, chute means connected to said hopper, corner flanges extending from said rim and inwardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, ball conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle, a supporting frame at the rear of said hopper, spaced sockets carried by said frame, ro-

tatable arms guided in said sockets, and a backing carried by said frame and said rotatable arms.

l1. In combination, an inclined hopper having a rim, a spider Within but spaced from said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings secured to said spider, spaced bearing means on the sides of said rim for sustaining spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, an inclined hollow chute m-eans connected to said hopper and having an inclined baffling plate, flanges extending from said rim and inwardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle, and a backstop disposed at the rear of said hopper and having laterally extending wings, and means for rotatably supporting said wings.

12. In combination, an inclined hopper having a rim, a spider within but spaced from said hopper, a plurality of nested but spaced rings se- 35 cured to said spider, spaced bearing means on the sides of said rim for sustaining spaced curved portions only of the outside ring of said plurality, an inclined rectilinear plate connected to said hopper, flanges extending from said rim and in- 70 wardly overhanging said hopper, a receptacle, conduit means connected to said hopper and said receptacle, a backstop disposed at the rear of said hopper and having laterally extending wings, bearing means for rotatably sustaining said wings, and communicating ball trapping pockets carried by said Wings.

13. In combination, a hollow hopper having a 5 bottom wall and an upper peripheral rim, a vibratory spider suspended substantially within said rim and completely spaced therefrom and said wall, a plurality of nested and spaced members secured to spaced portions of said spider, and 10 spaced bearing means on said rim, the outer member only of said plurality having spaced portions only sustained by said bearing means and remaining portions thereof spaced from said rim and wall. 15

14. In combination, a hollow hopper having an inclined bottom wall and an upper peripheral rim, a vibratory spider suspended substantially Within said rim and completely spaced therefrom and said wall, a plurality of nested and spaced 20 and substantially concentric rings secured to spaced portions of said spider, and spaced bear-` ing means on said rim, the outer ring only of said plurality having spaced portions only sustained by said bearing means and remaining portions thereof spaced from said rim and wall.

l5. In combination, a hollow hopper having a bottom wall and an upper peripheral rim, a vibratory spider suspended substantially within said rim and completely spaced therefrom and said wall, a plurality of nested and spaced ball deadening members secured to spaced portions of said spider, spaced bearing means on said rim, the outer member only of said plurality having spaced portions only sustained by said bearing means and remaining portions thereof spaced `from said rim and wall, and flanges extending from said rim inwardly of said hopper and spaced from said outer member.

16. In combination, a hollow hopper having a bottom wall and an upper peripheral rim, a vibratory spider suspended substantially within said rim and completely spaced therefrom and said Wall, a plurality of nested and spaced and 45 relatively thin metal members secured to spaced portions of said spider, spaced bearing means on said rim, the outer member only of said plurality having spaced portions only sustained by said bearing means and remaining portions thereof 50 spaced from said rim and Wall, an inclined chute adjacent said hopper, side wings connected to said chute and closely straddling said outer member, and spaced ball guide means adapted to be connected to said chute. 55

17. In combination, a hollow inclined hopper having a bottom wall and an upper peripheral rim, a vibratory spider suspended substantially within said rim and spaced therefrom and said wall, a plurality of nested and spaced and sub- 60 stantially concentric rings secured to spaced portions of said spider, spaced bearing means on said rim, the outer ring only of said plurality having spaced portions only sustained by said bearing means and remaining portions thereof spaced from said rim and wall, anges at the corners of said rim, a receptacle, conduit means con- -nected to said wall and receptacle, an inclined chute adjacent said hopper, side wings connected to said chute and stradding said outer ring, and spaced rails associated with said chute.

BERNAYS JOHNSON. 

